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FAQs

Caring for your Wintec saddle

How do I clean my Wintec saddle?

The Wintec range of saddles is easy-care and hassle free. Wet the surface of your saddle; apply Wintec cleaner, or a mild detergent diluted in water before wiping over with a damp cloth. For stubborn stains, or on Equisuede you can use a small stiff bristled brush, such as a fingernail brush, to lift the dirt. Rinse the saddle with water and allow to dry out of direct sunlight.
Select models in the Wintec range feature leather girth points and, or a leather wear patch on the bottom of the saddle flap. Leather should be cleaned with saddle soap before being dressed with a good quality wax based leather cream, or balsam. Care should be taken to avoid exposing leather to excess water or detergents. We always recommend using Wintec Stirrup leathers with Wintec Saddles and a Wintec girth with roller buckles

Fitting your Wintec saddle

Can Wintec Stock Saddles use the full range of EASY-CHANGE® Gullets?

Prior to 2006, the original Wintec Pro Stock Saddles were not designed to accommodate the largest gullet in the standard EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System range (Extra Large — White). As such these saddles contain a large warning label which is visible when opening the saddle to change the gullet as doing so will distort and weaken the tree, which may lead to a breakage not covered under the manufacturers’ warranty.

Since 2006, there has been a change of model name to include Wintec Pro Stock CS, which can now accommodate the full range of six interchangeable gullet plates in the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System as follows: Narrow – Yellow, Medium Narrow – Green, Medium – Black, Medium Wide – Blue, Wide – Red and Extra Wide – White.

Can the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System be used in WIDE saddles?

WIDE saddles have been specifically designed to suit horses with particularly wide conformations and include a broad chamber and a uniquely wide Elastiflex tree. The EASY-CHANGE® WIDE Gullet System consists of four interchangeable gullet plates as follows: 1 Extra Wide — in light purple to 4 Extra Wide in dark purple.

Using the standard EASY-CHANGE® Gullet Range in these WIDE saddles will distort and weaken the Elastiflex tree, which may lead to a breakage that would not be covered under the manufacturers’ warranty.

Using the EASY-CHANGE® WIDE Gullet Range in these standard saddles will distort and weaken the Elastiflex tree, which may lead to a breakage that would not be covered under the manufacturers’ warranty.

Additional information on our EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution (including the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System), is available at www.easychangefitsolution.com

How do I determine the correct gullet size for my horse?

Ask your local Wintec stockist about the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet Gauge, which will help you determine what the correct size gullet for your horse is. For detailed step-by-step instructions on using the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet Gauge CLICK HERE.

How do I change the gullet on my Wintec saddle?

Saddles featuring the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System allow you to alter the width of the saddle tree for your horse’s conformation. For further information on EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System please CLICK HERE. If your saddle was manufactured prior to the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System then the gullet can be changed by a saddler.

How do I fit my Wintec Saddle to my horse?

Saddles featuring the CAIR® Cushion System and EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution offer the greatest flexibility for achieving an optimal fit. To find out more information on saddle fitting, please CLICK HERE.

How do I determine the correct gullet size for my horse?

Ask your local stockist about the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet Gauge, which will help you determine what the correct size gullet for your horse is.

I am not comfortable with the fit of my Wintec saddle on my horse, can you help?

As a saddlery manufacturer, it is impossible for us to responsibly comment on the fit of your saddle, without having an opportunity to assess the horse, rider and saddle. For this reason, we rely on stockists to provide professional saddle fitting advice and service. It is always recommended to seek professional advice, so that you can be confident you have achieved an optimal fit for you and your horse. If you have any concerns, please contact the store from which you purchased the saddle, so they may be of further assistance.

Can the Wintec 500 Wide range take gullets from the standard EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System?

The Wintec 500 WIDE All Purpose, Wintec 500 Wide Dressage and the (discontinued) Wintec Wide saddles are only suitable for horses with wide conformations due to the broader chamber of the saddles and other special features. These saddles do not accommodate the standard EASY-CHANGE® Gullet range and to do so could damage your saddle and invalidate the warranty.

Which saddles accommodate the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System WIDE?

The Wintec 500 Wide All Purpose, Wintec 500 Wide Dressage and the now discontinued Wintec Wide are the ONLY Wintec models that feature the WIDE gullets from the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System WIDE. They have trees specifically developed to accommodate the WIDE gullets. Trees in our other Wintec models have not been designed to stretch this wide, doing so would risk distorting and weakening the tree, which may lead to a breakage not covered under the manufacturers’ warranty.

Identifing systems in your saddle

How do I know if my Wintec saddle has the EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution?

Turn the saddle upside down and look under the pommel, the saddle should have an EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution badge in the chamber. If not, check your saddle’s unique serial number stamped into the underside of the underflap — if the saddle has the letters ‘IP’ stamped within the serial number then the saddle is compatible with both the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System and EASY-CHANGE® Riser System. For more information on the EASY-CHANGE® Fit Solution CLICK HERE.

How do I tell if my saddle has the CAIR® Cushion System?

All saddles featuring the CAIR® Cushion System have a clearly visible CAIR® Badge in the top of the chamber under the cantle.

How do I tell if my Wintec saddle has the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System?

If your saddle has two large black screws clearly visible in the top of the chamber at the head of the saddle it has the EASY-CHANGE® Gullet System. On older models these black screws maybe positioned under the skirt on your saddle.

Other questions

Can I use a gel pad under my Wintec Saddle?

Some gel pads may react with synthetic saddles. It is not recommended to use gel pads in direct contact with the underside of the saddle.

Can I take my horse swimming in my Wintec saddle?

Yes, your Wintec Saddle will not be harmed by water; however it is important to rinse it with fresh water following any swimming in salt water.

How do I know what seat size I am?

It is important that you continue to seek ongoing professional advice on the right model for each horse/rider combination that the saddle is intended for. We therefore recommend that you approach your nearest stockist, so that they may assess your specific needs from a saddle and make an informed recommendation to you.

What size saddle do I need for me and/or my horse?

It is important that you continue to seek ongoing professional advice on the right model for each horse/rider combination that the saddle is intended for and on the fit of the saddle. We therefore recommend that you approach your nearest stockist, so that they may assess your specific needs from a saddle and make an informed recommendation to you.

Do you custom make Wintec saddles?

As an international manufacturer of saddles, unfortunately we are not able to make custom saddles or unique modifications at the point of manufacture. If you feel our range would benefit from any additions, we would greatly appreciate your feedback, as we continue to monitor demand for individual requests in relation to future development.

Stockist queries

How can I find out which stockist has a particular Wintec model in stock?

Please CLICK HERE to go to the ‘Find a Stockist’ section on our web site you will find a list of stockists in your area, whom you could contact to check which saddles they have in stock or can order on your behalf.

Where can I find out more information on Wintec saddles and accessories?

If you have any queries regarding Wintec saddles and accessories, including pricing, stock availability, fitting and warranty related enquiries, please contact your nearest Wintec stockist, if they are unable to help they will be able to contact the distributor of Wintec saddles and accessories in your Country.

How can I find out which Wintec saddles are sold in my Country?

Please CLICK HERE to go to the ‘Find a Stockist’ section on our web site and you will find a list of stockists in your area. Please contact your local stockist to check which Wintec saddles are available in your Country

Who is my local Wintec stockist?

To find your local Wintec stockist, please CLICK HERE to go to the ‘Find a Stockist’ section on our web site. You will then be able to choose from a list of stockists in your area.

Warranty issues

What do I do if I think my Wintec saddle is faulty – how do I return it?

If you are at all concerned that your saddle may be faulty in any way, please return the saddle to the stockist from which you purchased it or alternatively your nearest stockist, so they may assess your saddle. Should warranty work be required the stockist will require the warranty card along with the original purchase receipt. Associated transport costs are the owner’s responsibility.

How long is the Warranty on my new Wintec Saddle?

Bates Australia guarantee the Wintec range of saddles for a period of two years against faulty materials, or workmanship. Further, the Elastiflex tree in your saddle is guaranteed against breakage for the lifetime of the saddle deemed to be 10 years* (5 years for the Wintec Western saddle). The warranty on a Wintec saddle and its components are subject to use under normal conditions. The warranty card should be retained by the purchaser, along with the original receipt as the retailer will require it should warranty work be required. Saddles which require a repair under warranty should ideally be returned to the store from which they were purchased or your nearest stockist. Associated transport costs are the owner’s responsibility.

* N.B. Some Countries have specific legislation relating to manufacturers warranties on new products which may over-ride the above.